Monday,
July
27
2026.
(Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News via AP) Jacob Hamilton | MLive. com/Jacob Hamilton | MLive. com/Ann A<img alt="The Detroit skyline as seen from the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit,
Mich.
and
Windsor,
Ontario
on its opening day,
Monday,
July
27
2026.
(Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News via AP)” loading=”lazy” src=”aspect-ratio:3 / 2″ class=”x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill”/> The Detroit skyline as seen from the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit,
Mich.
and
Windsor,
Ontario
on its opening day,
Monday,
July
27
2026.
(Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News via AP)Jacob Hamilton/Jacob Hamilton/ Ann Arbor News vi DETROIT (AP) – A significant new bridge connecting Canada and the U. S. in Detroit opened on Monday for trucks,
cars and other vehicles marking a long-awaited completion that faced challenges from international relations. The family members of Gordie Howe, the hockey star after whom the bridge is named were among those who first crossed over to reach Detroit from Windsor, U. S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., rodea motorcycle while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drove her Ford Mustang withthe top down. Article continues below this ad The six-lane bridge built by Canada at a costof $6.4 billion Canadian offersa more affordable option compared to the privately owned Ambassador Bridge which previously held monopolyon large trucks transporting goods worth billions betweenthe two countries especially benefitingthe auto sector. “There are thousands of trucks that go over” daily,” said Kevin Ketels, a business professor teaching supply chain managementat Wayne State University. Jim Pereira who transported auto partsfor Ontario-based Onfreight Logisticswas acknowledgedas the firsttrucker to reach Detroit. He honked his air horn several times before stepping downfromhis vehicle totake selfieswith customs officials and sharehigh-fives. Pereira aged58 expressed his hopefor quicker travel timesin both directions as trucksapproachthe broadbridge. “It’s just abeautiful pieceof architecture,” he said.
The family members of Gordie Howe, the hockey star after whom the bridge is named were among those who first crossed over to reach Detroit from Windsor, U. S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., rodea motorcycle while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drove her Ford Mustang withthe top down.
Article continues below this ad
The six-lane bridge built by Canada at a costof $6.4 billion Canadian offersa more affordable option compared to the privately owned Ambassador Bridge which previously held monopolyon large trucks transporting goods worth billions betweenthe two countries especially benefitingthe auto sector.
“There are thousands of trucks that go over” daily,” said Kevin Ketels, a business professor teaching supply chain managementat Wayne State University.
Jim Pereira who transported auto partsfor Ontario-based Onfreight Logisticswas acknowledgedas the firsttrucker to reach Detroit. He honked his air horn several times before stepping downfromhis vehicle totake selfieswith customs officials and sharehigh-fives.
Pereira aged58 expressed his hopefor quicker travel timesin both directions as trucksapproachthe broadbridge.
“It’s just abeautiful pieceof architecture,” he said.< Canada's ministerof infrastructure observedthatthe bridge’s design resemblesa hockey stick blade with steel cables stretchingfrom towers to deck resemblinggiant musicalharps.
< Freddie Garrett aged81 remarked thathe had closelyfollowed construction "ever since they putthe foundationin backin2018."Naturally hewas presentat Delray Park in Detroittosee vehicles crossingabove forfirst time.
“It wasamazingto seehowthey did it,” Garrettsaid.”They put upone sectionat atimeand then theymet togetherinthemiddle. I’m sureit will be there longer than I’ll bearound.”
Article continues below this ad
This past week Canada celebratedopeningofthe Gordie Howe International Bridge withribbon-cuttingceremonyin Windsor. Uninvited were U. S. and Michiganrepresentativesafter President Donald Trumpunexpectedly declared50%tariffs on Canadian goodsentering America.
Around70%of Canada’sexportsare sentto U. S. making ittheirlargest tradingpartner. Detroitis also ranked asthe No.1 portfor trucktraffic along U. S.-Canada borderaccordingto U. S. Departmentof Transportation.
Animositybetween governments oftwo nations “has beenvery challenging for usinthis region,”Ketelsnoted.”Manyfeel it’sunneededand unnecessary.”
This span stretches1.5 miles(2.4 kilometers) long rising151 feet(46meters) above river atits highest point. Pedestriansand cyclistswill be able tocrossit free starting Aug.5th.
Article continues below this ad
How eis anicon in Canada known as“Mr. Hockey” whowore No.9whileplaying forthe NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Hediedin2016.
A recent agreementbetween Canadiana nd Trump administrationindicates Canadawill share some tollrevenue with U. S. governmentfor15 years. Michigan Gov. Rick Snydernegotiatedseparately in2012 ashareforthe state but payments won’tstart until Canada recoversits costs likelydecades ahead.Source link
